Weather and sea conditions were more cooperative this week. We still had some blustery afternoons, and a little swell came through over the weekend, but fishing remained strong. A couple days featured low winds well into the afternoon, allowing anglers to fish all day in comfort.

And, there is plenty to fish for. Rockfish are numerous, and getting bigger as the season progresses. Chris Victorino reported on Friday's trip to the local reefs: "Stagnaro's Sea Stag had an awesome cod trip. All clients got their limits of big grumpy black rockfish along with three keeper lingcod."

Others shared similar reports.

"Today we had six anglers who worked hard and got limits of rockfish on our local reefs," said Jim Rubin, fishing on the Becky Ann. "The wind came way earlier than the weather man predicted, but we fished hard and were rewarded with some nice blacks, yellows and vermilions."

Capitola's rockfish bite slowed over the weekend due to the groundswell that came through, but was picking up by mid-week with reports of lingcod and bolina rockfish coming from Surfer's Reef and the Mile Reef. Pier anglers have been having a blast in Capitola, catching mackerel, jacksmelt and perch from the wharf.

In Monterey, the rockfish bite has been steady. Working near Point Pinos and around the corner toward Carmel, Chris' Fishing Trips reported half to full limits of rockfish for their clients this week, and up to 48 legal lingcod for one boatload of 35 anglers.

Doni Davi, on the Kahuna out of Moss Landing, worked hard Saturday for a private salmon charter. Davi started at Moss Landing, drove all the way to Carmel, and returned to a spot right in front of the Moss smokestacks where he found some salmon willing to bite. The 17 anglers aboard returned to port with five king salmon. Carol Jones from the Kahuna said the bite has averaged "about a fish per rod" since then.

Santa Cruz has been enjoying a near shore salmon bite for a couple weeks now. The bite continues in 100-150 feet of water from the Mile Buoy area up to Natural Bridges. Mooching is a good bet, as trollers are having problems with jellyfish in the area. Find the bait balls and fish just above the bait or just to the side of the bait ball for success. A number of salmon limits were reported from this area, including full limits for three aboard the Blind Squirrel, which trolled silver Kripplers with anchovies and flashers for their bounty.

The Mile Buoy area is also kicking out halibut and the occasional white sea bass this week. Todd Fraser from Bayside Marine suggests 50-70 feet of water, and using whole squid on the bottom or flylined for the sea bass.

"There were a few salmon caught near the Cement Ship along with some halibut in 40 feet of water," Fraser said. "There are still some squid and anchovies around, so some anglers are fishing from Capitola to the Lighthouse in 60 feet of water for sea bass and halibut, and catching a few early."

Your action needed to protect salmon fishing in the Santa Cruz harbor. Please go to mbstp.org and add your voice to the incoming tide of anglers and supporters who feel salmon fishing need be preserved in the harbor waters for those few weeks per year the kings are present.

Allen Bushnell can also be heard on The Let's Go Fishing Radio Show Thursdays at 8 p.m. on KSCO radio 1080 AM. Send your photos, comments or questions to scruzfishing@yahoo.com